Mr. William H. (Arky) Odom Jr. pass away quietly on February 23, 2011 at the Cross Country Health Care Center, Brownwood Texas. Arky was born November 12, 1924 in Barlling Arkansas.
Mr. Odom, upon hearing of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17. Wanting to service his Country he ran away from home, falsifying his age in order to enlist. Upon completion of his Navy Training, to served about the USS Langley, the first operational Aircraft Carrier in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Odom was transferred to the USS (CV13) Franklin, on which he participated in combat operations against the Empire of Japan, winning the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Philippines Operations Medal.
Discharged from the Navy and the end of World War II, Mr. Odom meet and married Ms. Marilyn Frances Moore of Brownwood Texas and remain with Lynn for 64 years until her death of his beloved wife in 2010.
After their marriage and a short brake in service, Mr. Odom re-enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving some 3 years, until it was reorganized into the United States Air Force in 1947. He completed 26 years of active military service one of few who could claim active service in all three military branches. Mr. Odom retired as a Staff Sergeant out of the 843rd Civil Engineering Squadron, England AFB, Louisiana, in June of 1965.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Odom moved to Brownwood Texas, first working at the 3M Plant; then operated his own small electronic repair business for 20 years on North Coggin Avenue.
Mr. Odom was preceded by his loving wife Lynn, brother Arile, and sisters Eunie, Alamerle, Agatha and Catherine. He is survived by his daughter, Claudia Ann (Odom) Curtin of Cumming Georgia and his son, William H. Odom III of Brownwood.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Odom will be laid to rest next to Lynn’s beloved father (Frank Y. Moore) at the Green Leaf Cemetery, Brownwood Texas. A graveside service will be held at a later time.
